Rock crystal cup with ear-shaped handles, in the form of an Han-style cup.

This circular rock crystal cup with thick walls is finely carved with geometric patterns and arabesques. The outer wall is decorated with a stylized mask with round eyes and symmetrical lines, reminiscent of the archaic forms of Chinese ritual bronzes. The transparency of the crystal highlights the purity of the material and the finesse of the engraving.

This cup is a faithful reproduction of a lacquer model from the Han dynasty. The central decoration depicts the Taotie mask, an emblematic motif in ancient Chinese art, traditionally associated with power, protection and ancestral rituals. The rock crystal design is a tribute to the past : in the 18th century, this particularly pure and precious material was highly prized, and artisans readily adapted it to ancient shapes and designs.